A/N: Whew! Made the deadline!

Yukino76: :D

RR: Oh, yes, he's definitely got the lead in his hands, now. Now to see where he takes them!

Happy Balon: It's okay! He's on his way!

CrystalBlueFox: Zoro still has things he needs to figure out; but he's definitely learning the hard way. At this point, though, the thing they had is gone; all that's left is salvaging what remains of their friendship, and both of them are stubborn. Even I, the writer, don't know how that will go. D: Everytime I write them, things explode without warning!

: : 26 : :

He was done for. And while he'd shrugged it off with his usual nonchalance when caught by his crew, the familiar feelings of doubt and insecurity that always hit when his mind was made up simmered in a slow boil just below that calm. Of course, it would never work –it never did. For obvious reasons, he could not just stroll off into the sunset with Sanji and baby in hand because that was just ludicrous.

But there was always "for the now", and that's what mattered. For right now, it was okay because it was pure and lovely and he'd always enjoyed the moment for the moment. His attachment to both would fade when they did, and there would be pleasant – painful - memories left behind.

This was a part of himself that only his crew was aware of – they'd been there for all of them in the past, and they would be with him through this one. It would be messy and painful when it all broke down again, but at least he had a chance to share in it as it lasted. That was what Corazon had taught him so long ago – it was okay to take a chance on love. However long it lasted, at least he'd had that chance.

With this in mind, realizing his feelings when Sanji saw the sonogram pictures of his baby, Law let him know his without restraint. Sanji could do with them however he wanted, but Law wasn't going to hide it when he felt it. People would just have to deal with it. Even if Sanji chose to further endure Zoro's company, or whoever's, at least Law had a chance to express his.

In the end, being able to experience it was what mattered; better than a harsh lifetime without, when anybody and anything could be cut away at any moment.

Bepo was crying as Law carried on with his usual indifference, as if it hadn't taken Chopper in Heavy Point to remove him from the room.

"No regrets," Law said with a shrug.

"But not this time!" Bepo cried. "Not with this one! We knew you'd become attached, but not to him in particular! That's dangerous!"

"I'm just surprised he feels something in return. Blew my mind when he kept accusing me of being 'nice' to him. It was an invitation."

"NO!"

"These things don't last, anyway," Law commented airily, headed to his room, Bepo sniffling into his paws, wiping moisture on his overalls.

"But! Isn't it different this time? Because of the baby?"

Law shrugged, walking to his closet. He removed his shirt to change into a different one, smelling each one before deciding on one.

"I washed everything!" Bepo exclaimed to his scarred back. "It's ridiculous how you wear things to the point of rot before dumping them into the laundry!"

"I need extra vigilance at our entryways," Law said, sliding on a light sweatershirt before looking through his pants supply. Because they had guests, he would have to refrain from any 'comfort' items. "Because Strawhat-ya is very clingy. That whining of his gave me fair warning – he'll risk anything to get to his cook."

"Well, that was a No Duh situation," Bepo muttered. "Considering how he abandoned everyone just to go ask him a question."

"Right?"

"But captain, I just don't think…I don't think you should do this one," Bepo said fretfully, paws clasped together. "Because…there will be problems. There will be…I have a fear that this will hurt because of the baby, and…"

"Whatever happens afterward isn't my responsibility," Law told him firmly. "I'm fully prepared for nothing to last –it's a chaotic world we live in."

"Captain."

"Admittedly, he's not…fully centered. And when the baby comes, he'll need to focus on him, as well. So…for these next few weeks, that's all the time I have."

Bepo stared at him in silence before releasing another crying jag that made Law wince. His crying prompted attention from the others, Lola, Shachi and Penguin peering in cautiously from the doorway.

"What's this?"

"Captain's making Bepo cry again."

"It's been fourteen hours since we heard that dumb bear crying, anyway."

"I don't cry all the time!" Bepo snarled at them.

Shutting his closet doors, Law kicked off his boots and exchanged them for another pair. "Let's go over the new plan."

"I'm only crying because - !"

"We don't want to hear it!"

"Probably over something stupid, anyway!"

"This damn bear always wants so much attention!"

They argued all the way down to the main officer, where Law slipped on his reading glasses and took the results from Larry as he held them out. Terry watched him anxiously, Mo dozing off on the wheeled chair nearby.

"Everything looks good on paper," he murmured. "Blood, fluids, weight –still undersized. We'd have to consider that there is a possibility of a premature birth. Smoking excessively had caused lasting results. The amniotic fluids are still murky – there is tar present in its walls."

"We knew this wasn't going to be easy."

"Are we prepared for that possibility?"

"We bought and installed the needed items just in case. They're stowed away in the operating room."

"Are we really going to seize the island for ourselves?" Lola asked excitedly.

"Yes. Bepo, retrieve my plans from that ship. And don't you dare sneak in another occupant."

"Agh, aye aye…"

"Go with him," Law instructed Penguin, who saluted before kicking Bepo, both of them racing out. "Also, amongst all of you, our guest, as you know, is a temperamental harpy that is not afraid to voice any displeasure he might have. All of you are to conduct yourselves in a calm, peaceable manner, to avoid exciting him. This situation was caused by an argument he had with their swordsman, who still happens to wield a verbal shiv with his personal outlook on the matter."

"Still?" Shachi complained. "He was drinking excessively and looking pouty last night. You'd think that he'd be over it, by now."

"He's scary!" Lola shivered.

"He makes me nervous," Terry agreed.

"If you show any weakness around him, he'll disregard you. He looks down on anybody that doesn't present a danger to him."

"Whew! Safe!"

Law lowered the paper with a thoughtful expression, then considered those present around him. "We can't sense these people and their intentions until the very last moment due to their lack of threat. Perhaps all of you, can."

"Mean!"

"What are you saying?"

"We can sense danger a mile away! Why can't you?"

"Why would he want to stay with us, rather than his crew?" Shachi asked curiously. "These big plans we all have, wouldn't it make sense to stay with them?"

"For the baby," Lola told him.

"He's only doing it so captain won't leave without him," Larry scoffed. "His crew is more apt to be reasonable with his demands, and he thinks captain will go on ahead and take over the task before he has the chance to say anything."

Law looked at him with surprise. Then crumbled the paper within both hands, scowling because it made sense.

"…Was I right?"

"Close," Law admitted. "I didn't think of that. Well. As you can see, he is a master manipulator."

"No wonder captain trusts him!"

"As we disembark, all of you will need to change into civilian wear. Do not wear our Jolly Roger. We might have the advantage of surprise – your names and faces aren't as familiar. You could be the only ones standing between Blackleg-ya's safety."

"This is a different sort of pressure," Shachi said on a sigh before perking up. "What do their women look like?"

"Like your sister."

"MEAN!"

"I didn't mean it that way," Law told him, the transponder snail ringing nearby, Lola answering it professionally. "I just meant that they are very plain and very similar to another, that it's difficult to distinguish them from another."

"…that's still mean."

"Captain," Lola said, holding the receiver out. "If you don't answer, they will attack."

With an exasperated growl, Law snatched it from her. "What."

"Can you ask Sanji where the sugar's kept? Because I can't find it," Luffy said with a sigh, a racket in the background.

Law hung up on him, returning to facing his crew. The snail began to ring again. "Once we have cleared him for travel, we will head immediately for the north side. From there, we will head down through the Bonefield and blend in with that colony there. It's closest to the medical facilities they have secured in the Foggy Mountains."

"You think they have ghosts?"

"Hopefully no bugs," Lola said with an ill expression. All of them winced. The snail continued to sound out.

"I don't want any damage caused to the facility just yet. We'll just perform an investigation as to what their security is, how many are working there, and where they keep their research stations. I'm sure it's not kept in the same place – it would be a separate department, or structure, located away from the medical facilities. But I'm more interested in their birthing department. If there are breeders there, you'll take note of what's being done. I want first hand information from those beds rather than from these journals. We will not engage with the midwives unless absolutely necessary."

The snail stopped ringing. Satisfied that the Strawhat captain would leave him alone, Law continued going over the plan with his crew.

: :

Luffy gave a drawn out whine, sinking against the counter. Robin gave him a sympathetic expression, finished mixing a fruit flavored drink. "This is great, but it's not Sanji's…"

"It's only for a day," Robin reminded him.

"There's nothing wrong with our place! Besides, he'd feel happier being here than down there!" Luffy complained, wrapping his hands around the glass but not straightening up to take a proper drink. It gushed over his chin instead, spilled over the counter. "I've been down there, it's not a happy place. It's so tight and cramped and boring - !"

"It's for the best. It's for the baby. These contractions are only practice – but they can be painful, sometimes, and perhaps our cook does not want to upset you."

"He didn't need to do those things, last night," Luffy grumbled, setting the glass aside. "If it was too much, then he should've just sat down. Everyone else could've done it."

"You know how he is. He's in good hands, captain."

"I don't like coming in here and seeing he's not here. Or out there with the rest of us."

"I understand."

Drumming his fingers atop of the counter, Luffy looked to the side, seeing that Zoro was scowling out the window. Straightening to stand, Luffy asked, "What do you think, Zoro?"

"If this is what he wants, then let him have it," Zoro muttered.

"Yeah, but - !"

"It's mainly for the kid, not him, right? Isn't it too early if he has it?"

"Might be…Chopper's with him, but…if this is going to be so hard on him, then should we even go to that island? I mean, we should, but…maybe he should just stay behind, then. I should tell Law, this," he then said, reaching for the snail. Robin's arm shot out from the table and slapped his hand away.

"After day's end, I'm sure we'll hear the rest of it," she assured him. "Sanji knows you're missing him. I'm sure he feels bad for doing this, but it needs to be done. Calling either every five minutes might disrupt his sleep."

Grumbling, Luffy retracted his arm. He leaned against the counter, shaking his head from side to side. "It's so quiet!"

"Go play with Ussop, or something…"

"We're grown men, we don't 'play'," Luffy said with a huff in Zoro's direction.

"Whining about it isn't going to make the time pass by any faster," Zoro told him sternly.

"Having him away sucks for you, too, huh?"

"I don't care."

"Yeah, you do, because you're just as cranky!" Fiddling with his hat, Luffy then asked, "Have you been getting along better with him? I think he wants to be away because you've been calling him 'fat'."

"We're fine, we're fine…"

"He's not going to be fat forever," Luffy added. "If that helps."

"What is that supposed to 'help'?"

"I just think you're too hard on him. We talked about this, already."

"I'm only expressing my thoughts. That's it."

"But can you say it nicer?"

"You can't dumb down the truth all the time. Besides, someone's got to think of these things…"

"What things?" Luffy asked, Robin taking a seat nearby as interest lit her features.

"All the things that come with it," Zoro said slowly, focused on the window than Luffy's expression. "You know how he is."

"You think he won't be a good dad?"

"I think…he'll make decisions that'll permanently affect the kid. That's all."

"Well, isn't that what parenting is? Look at me! I wasn't with my parents, and I'm fine."

"I, as well," Robin said. "And you, too, swordsman."

With a heavy sigh, Zoro said, "I get all that, now. But it bothers me that everyone is so upbeat about having a baby onboard a ship that's targeted no matter where we go! Even here! Are we all supposed to baby sit the kid every time he has to step away? And he will – because he puts himself into the thick of it, and doesn't give any regard to what he has to leave behind."

"I feel that this is really deep, because no one else has a problem with it," Luffy said. "We've taken real good care of King."

"Where is he, by the way?"

Zoro looked back at Luffy as the silence stretched, Robin looking puzzled. They looked at each other, expecting to see the doll. With an impatient gesture, he said, "This is what I mean! If you can't even take care of a doll, how can any of you be expected to take care of a living, breathing baby?"

"I'm sure we'll be better with it, considering he's a human, and not a doll," Luffy scoffed. "Besides, if you're already aware of these dangerous things, Zoro, then you'll have no problem watching the baby when it's your turn."

"I don't want that responsibility!"

"Why? Because you're afraid, or because it's Sanji's?" Luffy asked. "Because it's not fair if you treat him differently just because you don't like Sanji."

"I wouldn't - !" Zoro cut himself off with frustration, leaning up against the window. "Look. I don't want the responsibility because I know I'm not good with things like that. I shouldn't have to be obligated to do so. It's…a scary responsibility. What if, on my watch, something happens and he blames me?"

"It could happen to everyone, but that's his and their decision to make."

"That's what I'm saying! Why should we have that obligation? He should just take it and leave to somewhere safe, and raise it somewhere safe, like all parents should!"

"But that's not something he wants to do, Zoro. We're his family – we're not pushing him away because this happened. I refuse to. If he wants to leave, he's going to have to ask for permission! Sunny is his home!"

"He has that old man to go back to!"

"Even if Zeff said it was okay, I don't say that it is!" Luffy snapped. "He needs to stay here! This is his home! He said this was his home, and we're his family! Telling him to go away because he has a baby isn't right! We're going to accept King as another Strawhat and that's the end of it! If you feel you can't do it, then you don't have to! But you don't have the right to make him feel like he has to! Just because you don't like him!"

"It's not that I don't like him," Zoro said between gritted teeth, "it's just that I know how he is."

"Then if you did, you'd know this hurts him! Even being away from us like this, it's painful! It hurts me!" Luffy studied him for a bit, then said, "You did have a fight with him, didn't you?"

"Nothing different from the rest."

"What did you say, this time? What shit did you say to my cook?"

"I just…look. To be honest, the thought of him abandoning the kid is an easy thought – he abandons us all the time. He's always willing to lose his life for the rest of us, and - !"

"That's not an easy choice to make, Zoro! Of course he'd want to make sure each and every one of us is safe and okay, just the same as you! Would you allow either of us to die if it were up to you?"

"No."

"Then why is it so different for him? Because it's him? I just think that you're doing this because you're still mad about Big Mom. You were mad because he left us the way he did, but he didn't have a choice! They threatened us, they threatened Zeff, they threatened everyone he cared about, and of course he put himself forward to make sure nothing happened! What's wrong with that, Zoro?" Luffy shouted at him furiously.

Silenced, Zoro just glared off to the side, arms crossed.

Huffing, Luffy added, "It's not fair that you're mad at him for these things. It just sounds like you're scared. It's okay to be scared, but it's not okay to be unfair about it. And you're being unfair. I get it, neither of you can be, like, civil together, but you have to let him do whatever he thinks is okay. You can't control him, all the time. He doesn't try to control you."

"It's not that I'm trying to control him, I just – "

"THEN STOP!"

Zoro exhaled hard, shaking his head slightly. He left the kitchen, Luffy frowning after him.

"I don't get it," he muttered, grabbing his glass. "I don't get why he's so mad about it!"

Robin only smiled.

: :

Chopper watched suspiciously as Sanji drew the shirt over himself, adjusting his shorts with some difficulty. He'd wanted to change because it was too hot to wear the sweater and pants, huffing at the sight of his shoes. Chopper reached out and fixed the hem as Sanji exhaled heavily, hand on his stomach.

"How long do these things last?" he asked, leaning onto the bed for support.

"The tests revealed nothing in terms of any prelabor, but these are persistent," Chopper said, reaching out for his leg to help steady him. "Walking will help ease them – I understand that bedrest is needed, but this might help, too. Fortunately, it appears they're easing – not as close together. The pains vary as the Tobbleborg begins to ready the baby for birthing."

"They aren't painful – just…it's a weird squeeze from inside."

"If they're painful, you better say something, jerk! We'll explore this place – I think they all outside, except for a few at the door. They want to make sure none of the crew bothers you."

"It's not that I want to be away," Sanji explained lightly, "it's just that I'll be tempted to get up and do things, and…I should be listening to you guys. I should be…doing things right."

"Uhm…"

"Let's not talk about it, right now," Sanji muttered, hearing the question before Chopper could say anything. His ears red, he said, "I don't know what I'm doing."

"I am outraged! This crosses the line of the doctor-patient boundaries! It's unprofessional and predatory!"

"No it's not, because I started it. Remember, people can hear everything down here, so let's leave it at that."

Gaping at him, Chopper changed form, hooves clacking on the floor as they left the room. As they walked, Sanji looked at the photos once more, unable to stop himself from smiling. Here he was. He didn't know what size meant, how to determine what was normal, but this baby – he looked normal to Sanji. He would be loved, no matter what. He lowered them to his side, then stuffed them into his back pocket.

Scowling, he grumbled, "My ass is huge."

They paused outside of what looked like the mess hall, and Sanji wandered in. it was almost impersonal – everything gleamed stainless steel and ceramic blandness, and he frowned. He looked towards the kitchen, and walked there. It looked like something straight out of a military structure; it was unwelcoming and bland. But not a thing was out of place. Curious, he opened the fridge, and rummaged around there.

"They rely on meals ready to eat and shitty junk," he said, looking at a box that contained estrogen. "For a crew of medical professionals, they treat their bodies like crap."

"Well, we can't judge others based on appearance. They all seem fine and fit to me."

"Barely. You can't really tell with those overalls."

"We appreciate all your efforts to keep us fit and healthy!" Chopper said hurriedly, nudging him to move. Sanji replaced the box back into the fridge and they left the kitchen. Walking was more comfortable, relieving the pressure he'd felt all this morning. He headed over to the observation deck, and the two in there hastily threw aside what looked like dirty magazines once they caught sight of him.

"You were prescribed bed rest!"

"Deer! Um…bed rest."

"I'm tired of sitting. Where is everyone?" Sanji asked, hands on his hips. He noticed that they were making every effort not to look at him, but they were visibly trembling with excitement. He felt like a spectacle. "If either of you looks at me for more than two seconds, I will smash your faces straight to the floor."

Chopper gave him a look of disapproval.

"Er, everyone is on the island, seeking supplies and giving standard interview to see if any are in need of our services," one replied nervously, keeping his eyes focused on the floor.

"You guys go to island to island to offer free clinics, or something?" Sanji asked curiously.

"Well, yes! Some lack the proper medical care and supply that we can provide, or arrange to provide. Captain feels that because of the isolation and lack of modern conveniences that only we can save certain people. We have a web of providers we can get into touch with in order to continue our services once we leave."

"Is he up there, too?"

"We can reach him if you need him. Are you experiencing anything different?"

"I'm here to provide him with assistance if he needs it," Chopper said haughtily. "I am a doctor, too."

"I need some fresh air, actually," Sanji then said, turning away.

Headed to the top deck, the sun on his skin felt so much better than the cold of the sub, and he exhaled with relief.

"Sanji!" Franky hollered, Ussop racing to the railing. "How you doing, today, bud?"

"SANJI! Hey, is everything okay?" Ussop asked, standing at the edge to look down at him.

Seeing them made him feel so much better. He smiled up at them, shielding his eyes while Chopper stood against him, antlers back. "Everything's fine!"

"SANJI!" Luffy cried, having heard their shouts, racing over to join Ussop. "Can you come back up here, now?"

"I have these pictures I want to show you all!" Sanji said, retrieving them while the two crew members fretted.

"One little visit on deck should be fine," Chopper told them. "As long as he's settled here, he can still rest if things get a overwhelming, again."

A few minutes later, the other Strawhats, save for Zoro, crowded around Sanji with excited shouts and gleeful cheer, sharing the pictures amongst themselves.

"He's going to be so perfect!" Nami sniffled, covering her mouth. "He's so cute! I want to squeeze him!"

"This is amazing!" Ussop crowed, sitting down with a picture in hand, Luffy leaning over his shoulder to 'ooh' at it. "You can see almost every detail! Here's the spine, the brain, the heart…look at his feet! They're huge!"

"So that's what's happening inside of you," Franky commented, looking over Nami's head. "He's straight out soccer kicking your insides!"

"Five perfect little fingers!" Jinbei said, eyes wide. "I've seen you make that stance, a few times!"

"Where's the rest of him?" Luffy asked curiously, snatching the photo from Ussop. "Is this all he has?"

"He's perfectly intact, Luffy!" Chopper said, having switched forms, hooves on his hips. "The sonogram only catches what's closest to the Doppler when it's passing by."

"Have you decided on the name, yet?" Robin asked curiously. "As partial as I am to King, it appears that something different is appropriate."

"I haven't," Sanji said with a sigh. He glanced about, looking for Zoro with a frown. "I'm still thinking. I'm just…sort of blown away, right now. These are real, for me. Actually seeing him is so much different than…everything else, so far."

"You've done real good, Sanji!" Luffy said proudly, standing up straight, Ussop joining him. "This little guy is going to be perfect!"

"He will be, huh?"

"He's in the best of care!" Chopper said cheerfully. "As it stands, he'll continue to take rest on the Polar Tang, just in case. His contractions have subsided a little, so we want to monitor that. The baby is capable of being expelled at this point, and the Heart Pirates have the equipment we would need to support him in that event."

Luffy sighed heavily.

"You are missed," Brook told Sanji from behind him. "Not only your presence, but not being able to see that - !"

Sanji tried to elbow him, but he moved out of his range quickly. "Enough of that!"

"All that matters is Sanji and the baby are safe," Nami told them firmly, passing the picture along. "And it looks like they are. There is no rush to get to Fantasia Island. There are so many people here to take notice, that there shouldn't be anymore slipups. Also, that place may be more secure than Sunny, if they already stole aboard once."

"Admittedly," Sanji said slowly, looking annoyed, "I might be too preoccupied to notice anything around me. With so much going on…I have to rely on you guys. Last night's overexertion just reminded me of what I am able to do, which isn't all too much. It won't stop anything, though. This still needs to be done."

"We won't go ahead until you're ready," Nami assured him.

"Plus, I wanted to make sure he didn't, either," Sanji admitted. "I insisted on this so he couldn't."

"You're so petty."

Sanji shrugged, grinning lightly.

"Well," Luffy exhaled heavily, "if this is how it has to be…then so be it. Just for a day. It's half of this one! It's lunch time, actually!"

"I'll be in charge of this," Jinbei said quickly, volunteering himself before Sanji could say anything. "You need to return now, cook. Bed rest was prescribed for a reason."

"Right, right…"

"Also, I asked that there are to be no visitors on board, simply because you'll tempt him to attend to all of your whiny needs when the whim hits you," Law said, startling them as they realized he was standing next to Franky and Brook, both of whom reacted with a jerk. "If I'm there, sure, I'll be tempted to attack without looking. This is my private place, my sanctuary, my – "

"Oh, stop it," Nami sighed. "You're so dramatic."

"None of us are being whiny!" Luffy protested.

"How dare you accuse me of such childishness," Ussop snarled, but looked to the ground as he said this.

"I wasn't being whiny, I was being supportive!" Nami added. "Besides, we understand the situation entirely. It's not a problem."

"These guys mentioned that there will be a ship incoming from Fantasia Island towards the evening," Law said, withdrawing a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. "The reason for its arrival was unclear, yet it was stated that they could be carrying a shipment relating to farm tool supplies."

"Then, you'll want to be in the sub for sure," Nami said to Sanji, who frowned. "Just for the time being. They can't reach you in there."

Disgusted at how easy it had been previous times, Sanji just agreed with her by nodding.

As the others began moving away, chatting amongst themselves over the picture that still remained in Brook's hands, Law looked at Sanji. Chopper watched them nervously, aware of a new tension in the air between them, now. Luffy was lying on the grass, groaning while his hands curled around Sanji's ankles, Ussop hissing at him to let go.

"Feel better?" Law asked him.

"Yeah," Sanji said with some hesitation, anxiously dropping his eyes. He should kick Luffy off him, but he couldn't bring himself to move, yet. He thought he was being too obvious reacting to Law, now, and felt nervous about revealing anything about them with everyone in view. Ussop yanked at Luffy's ankles, trying to pull him back. "Chopper thought that walking around would help."

"Are they easing?"

"They're further apart than they were this morning," Chopper reported, unsure of why he felt so panicky. "It's easy to go a little stir-crazy down there."

"It is, but better crazy than dead. I'm going to be out here all day, supervising the clinics. Then we'll monitor the islander's ship when it approaches. So, get busy – find something to occupy yourself with down there."

"Right, well….don't order me around."

After a few moments, Law then leaned over and kissed him near the corner of his mouth, Sanji flushing brightly as Chopper gasped. "Stay off your feet."

Luffy sucked in a hard breath, eyes and mouth so wide that the sound emerged as a squeal. Ussop wasn't sure what happened, reading only the aftermath, so he stopped pulling at him to search for the distress. But all he saw was Chopper's horrified expression, Sanji's embarrassed one, and a confident walk as Law turned away to walk back towards the ramp.

Luffy reached out and caught his ankle, eking out a strange noise before wheezing, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Leaving. Let go."

"WHAT DID YOU DO? WHY?"

"Luffy - !" Sanji started to say, but he didn't know what to say, thoughts ruptured by the act.

Somehow rising to his feet, Luffy latched onto Law's shoulders, looking rattled while Law made an expression of irritation, trying to jerk out of his grasp.

"First you steal my cook, then you steal his lips?" Luffy uttered, shaking him. "Is there anything else you plan on stealing from me?"

"Probably your reindeer. Bepo has been saying he wants a pet," Law said with consideration, Chopper giving another outraged gasp.

"YOU CAN'T! UNFAIR! THIS IS UNFAIR! USSOP!"

"I'm like, right here…"

" 'MERE!"

"I'm still here, man."

"Luffy, please, just…forget about it," Sanji said with a sigh, reaching out and grabbing the rubberboy by his shirt, jerking him backward from Law. "Just…let it go…"

"You - ! PIRATE!" Luffy exclaimed, still frazzled, hands to his hair. "You - ! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!"

Law shrugged. "I can. And I'll keep doing it."

"TELL HIM 'NO'!" Luffy cried to Sanji, reaching out to hold onto his wrists, nearly pulling Sanji down towards him. "TELL HIM 'NO'!"

"What's going on, here?" Nami asked, venturing over. "What's got your shorts in a wad, this time?"

"HE'S STEALING MY COOK!" Luffy wheezed.

"Well, I guess you can see it that way, but it's only for a day. And Jinbei said he's going to cook, so don't worry about it," she said with a puzzled expression.

"Something happened," Ussop told her. "I'm not clear on what."

Throwing himself back, Luffy cried out with dismay. Sanji had to let go of him, all of them staring down at him for several moments while he gave out a long, strangled noise, accompanied with kicking and flailing.

"You can't! You can't! You can't!"

"Wow, this is embarrassing," Nami mumbled. "This is the idiot we're following to the ends of the earth."

Watching Luffy flail for a few moments, Law's expression remained impassive. The other Strawhats were watching from a distance, absolutely puzzled by the tantrum.

"Noted," he said simply. He looked to Sanji, who gave him an uncertain look, insecurity obvious in his features. To him, he said, "It's not going to stop just because he knows."

Unable to say anything, briefly blinded by the consequences that were sure to follow, Sanji couldn't give a reply. He didn't even know what sort of face to make. But hope fluttered fiercely in his chest, nervousness causing his lips to tighten. Law reached out to touch the small of his back, then left, Nami looking after him with large eyes, then whipping them back to Sanji with a demand.

Toeing Luffy with the tip of his boot, Ussop said, "Why are you doing this? It's only for a day."

"…Sanji?" Nami asked tentatively.

"It…it just happened," he sputtered, then clenched his jaw. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I have to go."

He turned and hurried back towards the ramp that connected Sunny with the Polar Tang, Chopper hurrying after him. Crossing her arms, Nami watched him go with bewilderment. Then she kicked Luffy in the side, his angry flailing coming to a stop. She looked up at the sight of movement from the corner of her eye, seeing that Zoro was glaring off to the distance. She went still as Luffy complained, holding onto his side with both hands, Ussop urging him to get up.

"What an idiot," she thought she heard Zoro mutter bitterly.